Railway signaling apparatus



l0 l4 74 ll 12 7 I5 2 2 v Nov. 20, 1928.

R. M. GILSQN RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS Original Fi'Led Jan 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 1' INV ENTOR 1 Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,647

M. GILSON RAILWAY SIGNALI NG APPARATUS Original Filed 192's 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: a 0 ENG/ISO",

mi z Nov. 20, 1928 R. M. GILSON RAILWAY SIGNALING APPARATUS Original Filed n 8, 1923 :s Sheets-Shut 3 Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED sr-Arss 5 PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT GILSON, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, Assrerion To THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, or SWISSVALE; PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or PEIyTNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY sIGiiALrNG APPARATUS.

I Original application filed January s, 1923, Serial No. 611275. Patent is. 1,682,749, dated September 4, 1923 Divided and this application filed. January 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,179.

My invention relates to'railway signaling apparatus.

I will describe one form of apparatus em bodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The present application is a division of my oopending application Serial No. 611,275, lited on the Sth day of January, 1923, which has matured into Patent No. 1,682,749, Sept. 4., 1928, for railway signaling apparatus."

In the accompanying drawings, 'Fi 1 is a view showing in vertical section one form of relay embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with top plate removed, oi the relay shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing a detail of the relay shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. i is aperspective view of the magnetic core and the windings thereon of the relay shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the magnetic core and windings shown in Fig. 1-. Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing modifications of the r-clay shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 7is a dia- ;raunnatic view showing one form of railway ignaling system embodying the relay shown in Figs. 5 or 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and i, the

relay, which is designated as a whole by the reference character R, comprises a base plate 7 (if) and a top plate 70 spaced apart by glass sides 71. Mounted on suitable supports on the base plate 69 is a substantially U-shaped core 72 of magnetizable material, such. as soft iron, having confrontin pole-pieces 72 and T2" with an air gap 7 3 between them. This core is provided with a winding comprising two coils 3, 3 surrounding the two polepieces, respectively, and usually connected in series when the relay isin use, and this windingl will term the track winding of the relay. It will be noted that when alternating current is suppliedto this winding'an alternating flux is created in the core 72 which at any given instant flows in the same direction across all parts of the air The core is also provided with a second winding having two sections 3, each comprising a plurality of superposed bars of'copper or other similar material. These two sec-g tions 3*, 3* are mounted onthe core on opposite sides of the air gap and are usually connected in series when the relay is inservice, each section being substantially S-shaped as best shown in Figs. 1 and 1;- The upper bar of the S rests against one vertical side of the core,'the lower bar rests against the, other vertical side of the core, and the middle bar of the 8 passes vertically through the middle of the core. The two sections 3, 3 are reversed in relative positions as best shown in Fig. 4. When alternating current is supplied to winding 3, which I will term the local winding of the relay, it will be clear that at any given instant magnetic flux will flow across air gap 73 in one direction between the righthand SQCtlOIlS Of pole-pieces 72 and 72", and inpthe'otherdirection between the left-hand sections of these pole faces. The result of this is that when alternating currents of the same frequency but displaced in phase are suppliedto windings 3 and 3*, a shifting magnetic flux will pass through air gap 73, and the direction of travel of this flux will be reversed when the polarity of the current in one winding is re-' versed with respect to the polarity-of the current in the other.

- A shaft- 2 is mounted to oscillate in suitable bearings carried by posts 67 which project upwardly from the base plate 69, and fixed to this shaft is an operating member 2. .oi'non-magnotic electro-conductive material such as aluminum in the form of a vane or disk. 1 This member passes'through the air gap 73 in core 72, and so. is subjected to the shifting magnetic field created by alternating currents in the windings on this core. It follows, 01 course, that when both Windings 3 and 8 are energized, an electro-magnetic torque will be exerted onmember 2 in one direction or the other depending on the relative polarity of the currents in these windings. V

It will be observed that with this arrangementthe number ofturns in theS-shap'ed winding 3 is very small compared with'the number of turns in wlnding 3. If, therefore,

the two windingsare to produce a comparable number of ampere turns, the current through winding S must In practice the current actually required in this winding is of the magnitude of several be correspondingly great.

. means. H Located and the primary winding is supplie hundred ore; As shown the drawing the immediate source of this current 1s the secondary-winding of a special transformer Q, which is placed as close impossible to the winding 3 in order to reduce losses 111 connections and in this instance is mounted Within the relay case 69. The secondary of this transformer comprises a single turn ternating signaling current by any suitable above the vane 2 are two contact r carrying rocker arms 4 and 5, pivotally mounted inbrackets suspended from the top 70 of the relay. Attachedto rocker arm 4 is a horizontal bar 6 the free end of which is pivotally connected with a verti- Cally disposed link 9. Similarly, attached to rocker arm 5 is a horizontal bar 7 the free end iof which is pivotally attached to link 8. The lower ends of thelinks 8 and are provided withslots 12 and-13, respectively, (see Fig. 3) and projecting into these slots are l which only two are Shown in the drawing.

One of these contacts comprises a spring 18 1 attached to the rocker arm 4 and cooperating with a fixed contact, block 32, and this I will or back contacts. .The rocker arm 5 likewise call the normal contact. The other contact comprises a spring 17 attached to the rocker arm and co-operating with a fixed contact block33; this I will term one of the-middle controls a set of contacts of which only two are shown in the drawing. These contacts qoomprise a spring 19 attached to. the rocker arm ,and co-operating with a fixed contact block 20 or a fixed block 21 depending upon the-position of the rocker arm.

. are closed.

Contact 19-21 I will term a reverse contact, and contact 19-20 I will term one of the middle or back contacts of the relay. It is understood that each rocker arm may be provided with a plurality of contacts similar to those shown in Fig. 1, and in Fig. 7 Where a plurality of such contacts are shown. the exponents a, b and c are used to designate the several contacts of each set.

Thetworockerarms t and 5 are provided with counterweights .10 and 11 respectively which bias these arms to such positions that ,middle or back contacts 17-33 and 119 20 fEach rocker arm 4 and 5 also carries abar till which co-acts with adjustable front and back stop screws in a, fixed block 81, whereby the swinging motion of the arm'is restricted to the desired limits.

The operation of the relay shown in Fig.

with al- I Mm i .1 is as follows: When or both of the stator wlndlngs 3, 3 are (lo-energized, there IS, of course, no electromagnetic torque on the movable member 2, and. this inem beris then held in the position inwhich it is shown by the action oi the oounterweights 10 and lit on the rocker arms 4- and 5. The back contacts 17933 and 19-20 are then closed, whereas both the normal and reverse cont acts are open. I will now assume that both downward movement of link 9, causes the counterweight 11 to rise and also swings the rocker iarm4 inclockwise direction, thereby opening the back contact -17-33 and closing the normal contact 1832. The member 2 continues its movementuntil the force, ex-

erted by the normalicontact plus the torque due to counterweight 10is equal'to the electromagnetic torque exerted on the member. It. will be observed that during such operation of the member 2the contacts; controlled by the rocker arm 5 are not affected. As soon as one or both of the stator windings become tie-energized, the member 2 will be restored of counterweight 10.

I will now assume that't-he relative polarities of the currentsof the stator windings and 3 aresuch as to swing member 2 in counter-clockwise direction. Pin 14 then drives link 8 downwardly whereas pin 15 jto its biased or initial position by the action moves freely upwardly in the slot 13. The

downward movement of link 8. raises counterweight 11 from its stop and swings the rocker arm 5 1n counter-clockwise direction, thereby opening the back contact 1920 and closing the reverse contact 19.21. During this operation of the member 2 the contacts controlled rocker arm tare notafi'ected; 1

When torque is removed frorn the member 2, this member is restored to its biased position by the action of the counterweight 11.

Referring now to Fig.5, the relay shown herein is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, with the addition of an auxiliary contact 23-24 comprising a fixed contact member 24 and a contact spring 23 mounted on insulating studs 22 fixed to a member 22. Member 22 is attached to an arm 29 which is pivotally mounted at oint 22, and also attached to the arm 29 1s a bar 25 carrying a spring 26 the free end of which is provided with a roller 27. Roller 27 co-opcrates'with a cam 28 fixed. to the shaft on which the mov-' ablemember 2isimounted. Arm 29carrjes two weights 29, 29?, so that this arm together with the Weights constitutes an inertia device for causing retarded operation of relative polarity, and the result'of-ithjas'polarity is thetthe member 2 of relay R is swung 1n counter-clockwise direction, so that the reverse contacts of this relay are closed. The caution lamp Y of signal S is lighted by virtoe of a circuit which passes from the secondary oftranst'ormer T through wires 36, 54, 55 and 56, contact 19"-2l wire .57, lamp Y,

and wires 51, 52, 53 and 47 to the secondary of transformer T The circuit for the primary of transformer U which supplies current to the track rails of section B-G passes van:

from the secondary of transformer T,-

'from the secondary of transformer T through wiresfifi, 54, 58, 59 and 60, contact El-19, wire 42, primary of transformer U wire 41, contact 19-21, and wires 61, 45, 46 and 47 to the secondary of transformer T. The polarity of this current in winding 3 of relay R with respect to the current in winding 3 is opposite to the polarity of thefcnrrent in Winding 3 of relay R with respect to the-current in winding 3", and so the current suplplied to winding 3 of relay R? is What I in term of normal relative polarity. The

' result of this polarity is that the member 2 ofrelay R is turned in clockwisedirection, so that the normal contacts of this relay are closed and the reverse contacts are open.

The proceed lamp-G of signal S is lighted by virtue of a circuit which passes from the secondary oftransformer T through wires 36, 54 and 55, contact 32%48", wire 63, lamp G and wires 52, 53 and 47 to thesecondary of transformer '1'. Current of normal relative polarityis supplied to the primary of transformer U, through a circuit which passes through wires 36, 54, 58 and 59, cont-act 32-18, wires 64 and 42, primary of transformer U, wires 41 and 65, contact 18--32,

and wires 66, 46 and 47 to'the secondary of transformer T9; When thecar or train W passes outof th section in whichit is shown in the drawing,

rela R will become energized in reversedirection, so that the relative polarity of the current. supplied to the rails of section A-B will be reversed. The result of thisis that member 2 of relay R will swing from its extreme reverse position to its extreme normal Essition, so that momentarily the middlebr T ck contacts 19-20 of this'relay will close. Theauxiliary contact 23-24 remains open,

however, so that during the brief interval in which the contacts 19-20 areclosed current of reverse relative polarity will not be supplied to the rails of section B--C and the circuit for the stop lamp B of signal S will not be closed. The reason for this, of course, is that the auxiliary contact 23-24. is included in the circuit which supplies current of. reverse relative polarity to the primary of transformer U and this same contact is also included inthe circuit for the sto lamp R.

It follows thatduringreversal o relayR I means? there will be no momentary flash ofystop lamp R in signal S, and there will be no tendency for relay Rqto operate.

It will be observed that inFig. I only one relay is used for each, track section andthat this one relay performs the two functions of controlling the associated signaland also icontrollin 1 the relative polarity of the current sup" ied to the rails of the track section next in t ierear. I am enabled to dothis because of the fact/that, as pointed out hereinbefore, each relay R requires no more operatng energy fromv the track circuit than an ordinary Q-pha'se track relay, even though the auxiliary contact flit-24; is provided.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope ofmy invention.

Having I claim is 1. In combination, a sections of railway trac plurality of successive a relay for each section having a winding connected with the rails of the section and having a movable member responding to reversals. of, relative mlarity of the current in the rails by moving to two extreme positionsin opposite direc 'tions from a biased position. means controlled by said member when in either extreme position for supplying current of one relative polarity tothe rails of the section'in the rear and when in its biased position for supplying currcntof the opposite relative, polarity to the rails of the section in the rear, :1. signal for each section, means controlled bythe movable member of each relay for causing thcassociated signal to indicate proceed OPCflllt-lfll'l or stopaccording as said member is in one extreme position or the other extreme position or the biased position, an auxiliary contact for each relay arranged when open to prevent.

the supply of current of said opposite relative'polacrity to the rails of the section in the rear and also to prevent the associated signal from indicating stop when said movable member of the relay is in the biased position, said auxiliary contact being open when said member is in either extreme position and closed when said member is at rest in its biased position, and means associated with said auxiliary contact for preventing momentary closure thereof during continuous movement of said member from one extreme position to the other. I H

2. In combinatioma plurality of successive sections of railwa track arela foreach a y tion havinga wlnding connected with the rails of the section and having a n'lovablc member respondingto reverse 3 of relative polarity of the ci-irrent in. the rails by moving to two extreme positions in ,oppositedirections from a biased position, means controlled by said member when in either extreme posi tionifor supplying current of one relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear and when in its biased position for supplying current of the opposite relativev polarity to the rails of the section in the .rear,.an auxiliary contact for each relay arranged when open to prevent the supply of current of said opposite relative polarity to therails of the section-inthe rear when said member is in its biased position, said auxiliary :contact being open when said member is in either extreme position and closed when said-memberoccu pies its biased position, and means associated with saidauxiliary contact for preventing momentary closure thereof during the movement of said member from one extreme position tothe other.

8. In combination,:aplurality "of successive sections of railway track,.a relay for each sectionihaving a winding connected with the rails-of the section andrhavinga movable member responding to reversals. of relative polarity of the current in the rails by moving to two extreme positionsiin opposite directions from a biased position, means controlled by said member when in either extreme positionfor supplying current of one relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear and when in its biased position for supplying current of theoppositerelative polarity to the rails oft-he section in therear, .asignal for each section, means controlled by the movablemember of each relay for causing the associated signal to indicate proceed or caution or-stop according as said member is in one extreme position or the other extreme position or the biased position, an auxiliary contact for each relay arranged when open to prevent the supply of current of said opposite relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear and also to prevent the associated signal from indicating stop when said movable member of the relay is in the biased position, said auxiliary contact being biased to the closed position, a slow-acting electric motor for opening said auxiliary contact, and means for energizing said motor when said member occupies either extreme position.

4. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a relay for each section having a winding connected with the rails of the section and having a movable member responding to reversals of relative polarity of the current in the rails by moving to two extreme positions in opposite directions from a biased position, means controlled by said member when in either extreme position for supplying current of one relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear and when in its biased position for supplying current of the opposite relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear, an auxiliary contact for each relay arranged when open to prevent the supply of current of said opposite relativepolarity to the rails of the section in the rear when said member is in its biased, position, said auxiliary contact being biased to the closed, position, a. slow-acting electric motor for opening said auxiliary contact, andmeans for energizing said motor when said member occupies either extreme position.

5. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track,-.a relay for each section having a winding connected with the rails of the section and a movable member responding to reversals of relative polarity ofthe currentinithe rails by moving to two extreme positions in opposite directions-from a biased position, means controlled by said memberof each relay for reversing the relative polarity of the current supplied to the rails of the sectionin the rear, a signal for each section, means controlled by the movable member ofeach relay for causing the associated signal to indicate proceed or caution or stop according as said member is in one extreme position or the other extreme position or the biased position, an auxiliary contactfor each relay operating when opentO prevent the associated signal from indicating stop, saidauxiliary contact being biased to the closedposition, a slow-acting electric motor for opening said auxiliary contact, and means for energizing said motor when said member occupies either extreme position.

6. In combination, a relay having amovable member biasedto a middle position and movable in opposite directions therefromto two extreme positions, a signal, means controlled by the movable member of said relay for causing said signal to indicate proceed or caution or stop according as said member is in one extreme positionor the other extreme position or the biased position, an auxiliary contact for each relay operating when open to prevent said signal from indi-- cating stop, said auxiliary contact being biased to the closed position, a slow-acting electric motor for opening said auxiliary contact, and means for energizing said motor when said member occupies either extreme position.

7. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a relay for each section having a winding connected with the rails of the section and a movable member responding to reversals of relative polarity of the current in the rails by moving to two extreme positions in opposite directions from a biased position, a circuit including contacts of each relay closed when the movable member is in either extreme position for supplying current of one relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear, a second circuit including contacts of each relay closed when the movable member is in its biased position for supplying current of the opposite relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear, a signal for each section, a proceed indication circuit for each signal including a contact of the associated relay closed when the relay is energized in one direction, a caution indication circuit for each signal including a contact of the associated relay closed when the relay is energized in the opposite direction, a stop indication circuit for each signal including a contact of the associated relay closed when the relay is de-energized, an auxiliary contact in each relay included in the second circuit for supplying current to the rails of the section in the rear and also included in the stop indication circuit for the associated signal, said auxiliary contact being open when said member is in either extreme position and closed when said member is at rest in its biased position, and means associated with each auxiliary contact for preventing momentary closure there of during continuous movement of said member from one extreme position to the other.

8. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track, a relay for each section having a winding connected with the rails of the section and a movable member responding to reversals of relative polarity of the currentin the rails by moving to two extreme positionsin opposite directions from a biased position, a circuit including contacts of each relay closed when the movable mem ber is in either extreme position for supp1ying current of one relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear, a second circuit including contacts of each relay closed when the movable member is in its biased position for supplying current of the opposite relative polarity to the rails of the section in the rear, an auxiliary contact for each relay included in said second circuit, said auxiliary contact being open when said mein ber is in either extreme position and closed when said member is at rest in its biased position, and means associated with each auxiliary contact for preventing momentary closure thereof during movement of the member from one extreme position to the other.

9. In combination, a relay havinga mov able member biased to one position and movable in opposite directions therefrom to two extreme positions, a signal, a proceed indication circuit for said signal including a contact of said relay which is closed when the member is in one extreme position, a caution indication circuit for said signal including a contact of said relay which is closed when the member is in the opposite extreme position, a stop indication circuit for said signal including a contact of said relay which is closed when said member is in its biased position, an auxiliary contact for said relay included in the sto indication circuit for said signal, said auxi iary contact being open when said member is in either extreme position and closed when said member is at rest in its biased position, and means associated with said auxiliary contact for preventing momentary closure thereof during continuousv movement of said member from one extreme position to the other.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT M. GILSON. 

